Actuation Bladder Controlled Downhole Devices

ABSTRACT

Various implementations described herein refer to a downhole device having a body with a cavity. The downhole device includes a mechanical element disposed within the cavity. The mechanical element has a base with a left-extending member and a right-extending member that holds the mechanical element in position within an interior space of the cavity. The downhole device includes an inflatable bladder disposed within the cavity between an interior sidewall of the cavity and the base of the mechanical element. The inflatable bladder has an opening on one end for receiving hydraulic fluid, and the inflatable bladder is activated and deactivated to selectively displace the mechanical element in and out of the cavity.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to provide information relevant tounderstanding the various technologies described herein. As thesection's title implies, this is a discussion of related art that shouldin no way imply that it is prior art. Generally, related art may or maynot be considered prior art. It should therefore be understood that anystatement in this section should be read in this light, and not as anyadmission of prior art.

Typically, modern wellbore products are hydraulically driven by mudpressure across a seal, and mechanical elements are held in a retractedstate by shear pins that need a ball to be dropped and land in a seat toallow pressure build-up that exceeds the shear pin rating. Suchmechanical elements utilize a return spring to drive the mechanicalelements to their initial position once circulating pressure is below aspring bias. In some cases, more complex devices have hydraulic pistonsthat drive the mechanical elements outward with only a ramp and a springbias that returns them to their initial state once the hydraulicpressure is bled off.

SUMMARY

Described herein are various implementations of a downhole device. Thedownhole device may include a body having a cavity and a mechanicalelement disposed within the cavity. The mechanical element may have abase with a left-extending member and a right-extending member thatholds the mechanical element in position within an interior space of thecavity. The downhole device may include an inflatable bladder disposedwithin the cavity between an interior sidewall of the cavity and thebase of the mechanical element. The inflatable bladder may have anopening on one end for receiving hydraulic fluid, and the inflatablebladder may be activated and deactivated to selectively displace themechanical element in and out of the cavity.

Described herein are various implementations of a downhole device. Thedownhole device may include a body having an inclined member with alower end and an upper end. The downhole device may include an objectdisposed to adjacently overlie the inclined member between the lower endand the upper end of the body. The downhole device may include aninflatable bladder disposed between a sidewall at the lower end of thebody and the object. The inflatable bladder has an opening on one endfor receiving hydraulic fluid, and the inflatable bladder is activatedand deactivated to selectively displace the object toward and away fromthe upper end, respectively.

Described herein are various implementations of a downhole device. Thedownhole device may include a body having a cavity and a recess formedin a floor of the cavity. The downhole device may include an objectdisposed within the cavity and coupled to a sidewall of the body via ahinge. The downhole device may include an inflatable bladder disposedwithin the recess between the floor of the cavity and the object. Theinflatable bladder has an opening on one end for receiving hydraulicfluid, and the inflatable bladder is activated and deactivated toselectively pivot the object.

The above referenced summary section is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form that are further describedbelow in the detailed description section. Additional concepts andvarious other implementations are also described in the detaileddescription. The summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to limit the number of inventions described herein.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part ofthis disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of various techniques are described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood,however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only variousimplementations described herein and are not meant to limit embodimentsof various techniques described herein.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate diagrams of radial displacement of a singlebladder in accordance with various implementations described herein.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate diagrams of angular displacement of a singlebladder in accordance with various implementations described herein.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate diagrams of hinged displacement of a singlebladder in accordance with various implementations described herein.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate diagrams of radial displacement of dual bladdersin accordance with various implementations described herein.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate diagrams of angular displacement of dual bladdersin accordance with various implementations described herein.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate diagrams of hinged displacement of dual bladdersin accordance with various implementations described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus for use with a downhole device inaccordance with various implementations described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cut-away diagram of a steerable drilling tool inaccordance with various implementations described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a method for implementing an inflatablebladder in accordance with various implementations described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various implementations described herein are directed to an actuationbladder controlled downhole device. For instance, the various schemesand techniques described herein are related to a device that may beactuated by hydraulic inflation of a bladder (or bladders) to therebydisplace a mechanical element (or elements or some other object) in agiven plane (or planes or direction) such that the bladder (or bladders)changes form, fit or function of the device from one operating state toanother.

The various schemes and techniques described herein use a deflectionmechanism, namely the actuation bladders and/or parts thereof to drivethe displacement of mechanical elements (and/or objects) in downholedevices (or tools) that perform activation-on-demand functionality suchas, e.g., reamers, under-reamers, hole openers, adjustable gaugestabilizers, cuttings bed agitators, roller reamers, wireline anchors,etc.

Various implementations of actuation bladder controlled downhole deviceswill now be described in greater detail herein with reference to FIGS.1A-9.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate diagrams of radial displacement of a singleinflatable bladder 102 in accordance with various implementationsdescribed herein. In particular, FIG. 1A illustrates a diagram of radialdisplacement of the single inflatable bladder 102 in an activated state100A, and FIG. 1B illustrates a diagram of radial displacement of thesingle inflatable bladder 102 in a deactivated state 100B.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, a downhole device 100 includes a body 110having a cavity 112 and an object 114 (e.g., mechanical element or otherelement) that is disposed within the cavity 112. The object 114 has abase 116 with a left-extending member 118 and a right-extending member120 that retains (or holds) the object 114 in position (or in place)within an interior space of the cavity 112. Also, the downhole device100 includes and uses the inflatable bladder 102, which is disposedwithin the cavity 112 between an interior sidewall 122 (lower sidewallor floor) of the cavity 112 and the base 116 of the object 114. Theinflatable bladder 102 has an opening 124 on one end for receivinghydraulic fluid 126, and the inflatable bladder 102 may be activated104A and deactivated 104B to selectively displace the object 114.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 1A, the inflatable bladder 102 maybe activated 104A by injecting the hydraulic fluid 126 into theinflatable bladder 102 via the opening 124 on the one end so as toinflate the inflatable bladder 102 with the hydraulic fluid 126. Duringactivation 104A, the hydraulic fluid 126 is pressurized and injectedinto the inflatable bladder 102 via a passage way 130 formed at theopening 124 on the one end of the inflatable bladder 102.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 1B, the inflatable bladder 102 maybe deactivated 104B by releasing the hydraulic fluid 126 from theinflatable bladder 102 via the opening 124 on the one end so as todeflate the inflatable bladder 102 without the hydraulic fluid 126.During deactivation 104B, the hydraulic fluid 126 is depressurized andreleased from the inflatable bladder 102 via the passage way 130 formedat the opening 124 on the one end of the inflatable bladder 102.

In reference to FIG. 1A, injecting the hydraulic fluid 126 into theinflatable bladder 102 radially displaces the object 114 in a firstradial direction 106A relative to a center line 132 of the mechanicaldevice 114. In reference to FIG. 1B, releasing the hydraulic fluid 126from the inflatable bladder 102 radially displaces the object 114 in asecond radial direction 106B that is opposite the first radial direction106A relative to the center line 132 of the mechanical device 114.

In some instances, the inflatable bladder 102 may have a lockingmechanism 134 that is disposed adjacent to the opening 124 that locksthe hydraulic fluid 126 within the inflatable bladder 102 when theinflatable bladder 102 is activated 104A. In addition, the lockingmechanism 134 releases the hydraulic fluid 126 from the inflatablebladder 102 when the inflatable bladder 102 is deactivated 104B.

In some instances, the body 110 has an aperture 140 that allows thehydraulic fluid 126 to bi-directionally flow into and out from theopening 124 of the inflatable bladder 102. The object 114 has anupper-protruding member 142 configured to move into and out of anopening 144 (or hole) formed adjacent to the cavity 112; i.e., theopening 144 may refer to a hole through which the upper-protrudingmember 142 comes in and out. The inflatable bladder 102 is activated104A by inflating the inflatable bladder 102 with the hydraulic fluid126 so as to push the upper-protruding member 142 out of the cavity 112.In addition, the inflatable bladder 102 may be deactivated 104B byreleasing the hydraulic fluid 126 from the inflatable bladder 102 so asto allow the upper-protruding member 142 into the cavity 112.

In various implementations, the object 114 may refer to an object orsome other element that may include at least one member of a holeopening device, an anchor, a stabilizer, a reamer, an under reamer, orother downhole mechanical or electro-mechanical device.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate diagrams of angular displacement of a singlebladder 202 in accordance with various implementations described herein.In particular, FIG. 2A illustrates a diagram of angular displacement ofthe single inflatable bladder 202 in an activated state 200A, and FIG.1B illustrates a diagram of angular displacement of the singleinflatable bladder 202 in a deactivated state 200B.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a downhole device 200 includes a body 210having an inclined member 212 with a lower end and an upper end. Thedownhole device 200 includes an object 214 (e.g., mechanical element orother element) disposed to adjacently overlie the inclined member 212between the lower end and the upper end of the body 210. Also, thedownhole device 200 includes and uses the inflatable bladder 202, whichis disposed between a sidewall 222 at the lower end of the body 210 andthe object 214. The inflatable bladder 202 has an opening 224 on one endfor receiving hydraulic fluid 226, and the inflatable bladder 202 isactivated 204A and deactivated 204B to selectively displace the object214. The body 210 has a roof member 216 that retains (or holds) theinflatable bladder 202 in position (or in place), and the sidewall 222is disposed between the roof member 216 and the inclined member 212 ofthe body 210.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 2A, the inflatable bladder 202 maybe activated 204A by injecting the hydraulic fluid 226 into theinflatable bladder 202 via the opening 224 on the one end so as toinflate the inflatable bladder 202 with the hydraulic fluid 226. Duringactivation 204A, the hydraulic fluid 226 is pressurized and injectedinto the inflatable bladder 202 via a passage way 230 formed at theopening 224 on the one end of the inflatable bladder 202.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 2B, the inflatable bladder 202 maybe deactivated 204B by releasing the hydraulic fluid 226 from theinflatable bladder 202 via the opening 224 on the one end so as todeflate the inflatable bladder 202 without the hydraulic fluid 226.During deactivation 204B, the hydraulic fluid 226 is depressurized andreleased from the inflatable bladder 202 via the passage way 230 formedat the opening 224 on the one end of the inflatable bladder 202.

In reference to FIG. 2A, injecting the hydraulic fluid 226 into theinflatable bladder 202 angularly displaces the object 214 in a firstangular direction 206A along the inclined member 212 of the body 210. Inreference to FIG. 2B, releasing the hydraulic fluid 226 from theinflatable bladder 202 angularly displaces the object 214 in a secondangular direction 206B that is opposite the first angular direction 206Aalong the inclined member 212 of the body 210.

In some instances, the inflatable bladder 202 has a locking mechanism234 that is disposed adjacent to the opening 224 that locks thehydraulic fluid 226 within the inflatable bladder 202 when theinflatable bladder 202 is activated 204A. In addition, the lockingmechanism 234 releases the hydraulic fluid 226 from the inflatablebladder 202 when the inflatable bladder 202 is deactivated 204B.

In some instances, the body 210 has an aperture 240 that allows thehydraulic fluid 226 to bi-directionally flow into and out from theopening 224 of the inflatable bladder 202. In some instances, theinflatable bladder 202 may be activated 204A by inflating the inflatablebladder 202 with the hydraulic fluid 226 so as to push the object 214along the inclined member 212 toward the upper end of the body 210.Also, the inflatable bladder 202 may be deactivated 204B by releasingthe hydraulic fluid 226 from the inflatable bladder 202 so as to allowthe object 214 to slide toward the lower end of the body 210.

In various implementations, the object 214 may refer to a mechanicalelement or some other element that may include at least one member of ahole opening device, an anchor, a stabilizer, a reamer, an under reamer,or other downhole mechanical or electro-mechanical device.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate diagrams of hinged displacement of a singlebladder 302 in accordance with various implementations described herein.In particular, FIG. 3A illustrates a diagram of hinged displacement ofthe single inflatable bladder 302 in an activated state 300A, and FIG.3B illustrates a diagram of hinged displacement of the single inflatablebladder 302 in a deactivated state 300B.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, a downhole device 300 includes a body 310having a cavity 312 and a recess 316 formed in a floor 318 of the cavity312. The downhole device 300 includes an object 314 (e.g., mechanicalelement or other element) disposed within the cavity 312 and coupled toa sidewall of the body 310 via a hinge 320. The downhole device 300includes the inflatable bladder 302 that is disposed within the recess316 between the floor 318 of the cavity 312 and the object 314. Theinflatable bladder 302 has an opening 324 on one end for receiving thehydraulic fluid 326, and the inflatable bladder 302 is activated 304Aand deactivated 304B to selectively pivot the object 314 relative to thehinge 320.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 3A, the inflatable bladder 302 maybe activated 304A by injecting the hydraulic fluid 326 into theinflatable bladder 302 via the opening 324 on the one end so as toinflate the inflatable bladder 302 with the hydraulic fluid 326. Duringactivation 304A, the hydraulic fluid 326 is pressurized and injectedinto the inflatable bladder 302 via a passage way 330 formed at theopening 324 on the one end of the inflatable bladder 302.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 3B, the inflatable bladder 302 maybe deactivated 304B by releasing the hydraulic fluid 326 from theinflatable bladder 302 via the opening 324 on the one end so as todeflate the inflatable bladder 302 without the hydraulic fluid 326.During deactivation 304B, the hydraulic fluid 326 is depressurized andreleased from the inflatable bladder 302 via the passage way 330 formedat the opening 324 on the one end of the inflatable bladder 302.

In reference to FIG. 3A, injecting the hydraulic fluid 326 into theinflatable bladder 302 pivotally displaces the object 314 in a firstrotational direction 306A relative to the hinge 320. In reference toFIG. 3B, releasing the hydraulic fluid 326 from the inflatable bladder302 pivotally displaces the object 314 in a second rotational direction306A that is opposite the first rotational direction 306A relative tothe hinge 320.

In some instances, the inflatable bladder 302 has a locking mechanism334 that is disposed adjacent to the opening 324 that locks thehydraulic fluid 326 within the inflatable bladder 302 when theinflatable bladder 302 is activated 304A. In addition, the lockingmechanism 334 releases the hydraulic fluid 326 from the inflatablebladder 302 when the inflatable bladder 302 is deactivated 304B.

In some instances, the body 310 has an aperture 340 that allows thehydraulic fluid 326 to bi-directionally flow into and out from theopening 324 of the inflatable bladder 302. In some instances, theinflatable bladder 302 may be activated 304A by inflating the inflatablebladder 302 with the hydraulic fluid 226 so as to push the object 214away from the floor 318 of the cavity 312. Also, the inflatable bladder302 may be deactivated 304B by releasing the hydraulic fluid 326 fromthe inflatable bladder 302 so as to allow the object 314 to move towardthe floor 318 of the cavity 312.

In various implementations, the object 314 may refer to a mechanicalelement or some other element that may include at least one member of ahole opening device, an anchor, a stabilizer, a reamer, an under reamer,or other mechanical or electro-mechanical device.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate diagrams of radial displacement of dual bladders102, 402 in accordance with various implementations described herein. Inparticular, FIG. 4A illustrates a diagram of radial displacement of thedual bladders 102, 402 in an activated state 400A, and FIG. 4Billustrates a diagram of radial displacement of the dual bladders 102,402 in a deactivated state 400B. As shown, some components in FIGS.4A-4B may have similar scope, features, and operational characteristicsto some similar components in FIGS. 1A-1B.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, a downhole device 400 includes and uses thedual inflatable bladders 102, 402, which are disposed within the cavity112 between interior sidewalls 112, 412 (or floor or ceiling,respectively) of the cavity 112 and the base 116 of the object 114. Insome instances, the inflatable bladders 102, 402 have openings 124, 424on respective ends for receiving the hydraulic fluid 126, and theinflatable bladders 102, 402 may be activated 404A and deactivated 404Bto selectively displace the object 114 in opposing radial directions106A, 106B.

In some implementations, the inflatable bladder 102 may be referred toas a first inflatable bladder, and the downhole device 400 may include asecond inflatable bladder 402 disposed within the cavity 112 betweenanother interior sidewall 422 of the cavity 112 and the base 116 of theobject 114. Also, the second inflatable bladder 402 has an opening 424on one end for receiving the hydraulic fluid 126. As such, the secondinflatable bladder 402 is activated 404A and deactivated 404B toselectively displace the object 114 in opposing radial directions 106A,106B. In some instances, the second inflatable bladder 402 may beactivated 404A and deactivated 404B in an alternating manner to thefirst inflatable bladder 102. For instance, when the first inflatablebladder 102 is activated, then the second inflatable bladder 402 isdeactivated at the same time, and when the first inflatable bladder 102is deactivated, then the second inflatable bladder 402 is activated atthe same time. Therefore, in this instance, the bladders 102, 402 mayoperate in unison to move the object 114 radially.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate diagrams of angular displacement of dual bladders202, 502 in accordance with various implementations described herein. Inparticular, FIG. 5A illustrates a diagram of angular displacement of thedual bladders 102, 402 in an activated state 500A, and FIG. 5Billustrates a diagram of angular displacement of the dual bladders 102,402 in a deactivated state 500B. As shown, some components in FIGS.5A-5B may have similar scope, features, and operational characteristicsto some similar components in FIGS. 2A-2B.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, a downhole device 500 includes and uses thedual inflatable bladders 202, 502, which are disposed adjacent to theinclined member 212 of the body 210. Also, the dual inflatable bladders202, 502 have openings 224, 524 on respective ends for receiving thehydraulic fluid 126, and the inflatable bladders 202, 502 may beactivated 504A and deactivated 504B to selectively displace the object214 in opposing angular directions 206A, 206B.

In some implementations, the inflatable bladder 202 may be referred toas a first inflatable bladder, and the downhole device 500 may include asecond inflatable bladder 502 that is disposed within a recess member418 of the body 210 between the inclined member 212 of the body 210 andthe object 214. The second inflatable bladder 502 has the opening 524 onone end for receiving the hydraulic fluid 226. The second inflatablebladder 502 may be activated 504A and deactivated 504B to selectivelydisplace the object 214 in opposing angular directions 206A, 206B, suchas, e.g., by sliding along the inclined member 212 of the body 210. Insome instances, the second inflatable bladder 502 may be activated 504Aand deactivated 504B in an alternating manner to the first inflatablebladder 102. For instance, when the first inflatable bladder 202 isactivated, then the second inflatable bladder 502 is deactivated at thesame time, and when the first inflatable bladder 202 is deactivated,then the second inflatable bladder 502 is activated at the same time.Therefore, in this instance, the bladders 202, 502 may operate in unisonto move the object 214 angularly along the inclined member 212, e.g., bysliding upward and downward along the inclined member 212.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate diagrams of hinged displacement of dual bladders302, 602 in accordance with various implementations described herein. Inparticular, FIG. 6A illustrates a diagram of hinged displacement of thedual bladders 302, 602 in an activated state 600A, and FIG. 6Billustrates a diagram of hinged displacement of the dual bladders 302,602 in a deactivated state 600B. As shown, some components in FIGS.6A-6B may have similar scope, features, and operational characteristicsto some similar components in FIGS. 3A-3B.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, a downhole device 600 includes and uses thedual inflatable bladders 302, 602, which are disposed adjacent to thefloor 318 of the cavity 312. The dual inflatable bladders 302, 602 haveopenings 324, 624 on respective ends for receiving the hydraulic fluid326, and the inflatable bladders 302, 602 may be activated 604A anddeactivated 604B to selectively displace the object 314 in opposingrotational directions 306A, 306B with respect to the hinge 320.

In some implementations, the inflatable bladder 302 may be referred toas a first inflatable bladder, and the downhole device 600 may include asecond inflatable bladder 602 that is disposed within another recess 652of the body 310 between the floor 318 of the cavity 312 and an armature652 of the object 314. In some instances, the armature 652 may becontoured in an L-shape and coupled to a lower portion (or bottomportion) of the object 314. In this instance, the second inflatablebladder 602 may be disposed between the floor 318 of the cavity 312 andthe armature 652. Also, the second inflatable bladder 602 has theopening 624 on one end for receiving the hydraulic fluid 326. Further,the second inflatable bladder 602 may be activated 604A and deactivated604B to selectively pivot the object 314 in opposing rotationaldirections 306A, 306B with respect to the hinge 320. The secondinflatable bladder 602 may be activated 604A and deactivated 604B at thesame time as the first inflatable bladder 302. For instance, when thefirst inflatable bladder 302 is activated, then the second inflatablebladder 602 is also activated at the same time so as to push thearmature 652 and assist with rotating the object 314 about the hinge320. Also, when the first inflatable bladder 302 is deactivated, thenthe second inflatable bladder 602 is deactivated at the same time toallow the object 314 to return to its resting position.

The various schemes and techniques described herein provide foractuation of one or more bladder(s) that radially displace a mechanicalelement (pad/blade/roller/other) from a deactivated state to anactivated state and vice versa. The deactivated state may refer to themechanical element being enclosed within a stabilized body of a downholedevice (or tool), and the activated state may refer to the mechanicalelements protruding (or extending) beyond the stabilized body to apredetermined distance that may be under-gauge to (in-gauge to orover-gauge to) the drilled hole size. In some instances, when an elementis deployed, and it extends to the drilled hole size, it is said to bein-gauge. When the element is deployed, and it extends to less than thedrilled hole size, it is said to be under-gauge. When the element isdeployed, and it extends to more than the drilled hole size, it is saidto be over-gauge. Depending on application of the downhole device (ortool), this may passively or actively act as a point of stabilization, afulcrum point, a relocation of a contact point within a 3-point geometrysystem or an actively cut formation thereby enlarging the hole beyondthe drilled hole size.

It can be envisioned that while activation of one or more bladder(s)takes place to initially displace the component(s), a mechanism isneeded to return the component(s) to its initial state. This could beachieved by attaching the component to a bladder such that, when thebladder deflates, it retracts the component to its initial state. Thiscould also be achieved by using a spring biased return system such that,when the bladder initially expands, a return spring is compressed andsuch that, when the bladder deflates, the component is driven back toits initial state by expansion of the spring. Alternatively, thecomponent is actively driven out by expansion of a primary ‘deployment’bladder that deflates a secondary ‘retraction’ bladder. When commanded,the ‘retraction’ bladder may inflate to actively displace the componentin the opposite direction to the ‘deployment’ bladder, which may retractthe component at a rate similar to deflation of the ‘deployment’bladder. Fundamentally, as one bladder is commanded to inflate, theother bladder would be commanded to deflate at a similar rate.

The number of components would be at least one, and the number ofbladders would also be at least one. Also, each component may be linkedto its own unique primary and/or secondary bladder system, and eachcomponent may be attached to a yoke type mechanism with a singularprimary and/or secondary bladder. It can be envisioned that there may bea primary and/or secondary bladder system with a fully redundant backupbladder system should the initial bladder system fail.

The hydraulic control system may have at least one set of controlelectronics and at least one hydraulic pump that is switchable betweenthe aforementioned primary set of bladders and possibly the secondaryset of bladders by way of a switchable valve or equivalent or byreversal of flow path. There may be one hydraulic pump per primarybladder and also possibly one hydraulic pump per secondary bladder.There may be one hydraulic pump per primary set of bladders and onehydraulic pump per secondary set of bladders assuming either hydrauliclinkage between the individual sets of bladders or a singular hydrauliccircuit driving a yoke that connects the components. Lastly, the controlsystem may be any feasible combination of the latter describedproposals.

In accordance with the various implementations described herein, FIGS.7-10 provide various diagrams related to implementing an inflatablebladder system downhole in reference to a mechanical element (orobject), such as, e.g., a drilling tool.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram 700 of an apparatus 710 for use with adownhole device in accordance with various implementations describedherein.

As shown in FIG. 7, a well bore 710 is drilled in the earth with arotary drilling rig 712, which includes a derrick 714, a derrick floor716, draw works 718, a hook 720, a swivel 722, a kelly joint 724 and arotary table 726. Also, a drill string 728 has sections of drill pipe730 that is secured to a lower end of the kelly joint 724 extends intoan upper end of one or more drill collars 732, which carry drill bit734. Drilling fluid (or drilling mud) circulates from a mud pit 736through a mud pump 738, a desurger 740, mud supply line 742 and into theswivel 722. The drilling mud flows down through the kelly joint 724,drill string 728, drill collars 732 and out through nozzles (not shown)in a lower face of the drill bit 734. The drilling mud flows back upthrough an annular space 744 between an outer diameter of the drillstring 728 and the wellbore to the surface, where it is returned to themud pit through a mud return line 745. The shaker screen for separatesformation cuttings from the drilling mud before it returns to the mudpit is not shown. A transducer 746 in the mud supply line 742 detectsvariations in drilling mud pressure at the surface. In addition, thetransducer generates electrical signals responsive to the drillingpressure variations, and these signals are transmitted by an electricalconductor 748 to a surface electronic processing system 750.

As shown, a non-magnetic drilling collar 752 may be inserted between thedrill collar 732, and the drill bit and may carry the mud pulser.Alternatively, the mud pulser may be carried in a section of drill pipeabove the drill collars. For some operations, such as horizontaldrilling, a hydraulic drilling motor 754 may also be inserted in thedrill string between the drill collars and the bit. Such a motor, ifpresent, utilizes fluid pressure from the flowing mud to rotate thedrill bit 734. The pulser tool 756 may include an elongated cylindricalhousing 758 made up of a plurality of individual threadedly connectedtubular sections. When in use, the tool is disposed inside the lowerportion of the drill string 728 and is surrounded by flowing drillingmud.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cut-away diagram 800 of a steerable drilling tool810 in accordance with various implementations described herein.

As shown in FIG. 8, the steerable drilling tool 810 has a bridge-typesteering mechanism. The drilling tool 810 includes a rotating shaft 812that passes through a nominally non-rotating housing 814, where theshaft 812 and housing 814 are separated by two rotating main bearings816 a, 816 b. The shaft 812 has first portion 818 terminating at a firstend 820 of the shaft 812 and a second portion 822 terminating at asecond end 824 of the shaft 812. A drill bit structure 826 isoperatively coupled to the first portion 818 through a first stabilizer827 a. The drilling tool 810 may form part of a drill string extendingto the surface. For instance, the tool 810 may include a secondstabilizer 827 b, and the remainder of the drill string may include oneor more pipe segments 829 coupled to the drilling tool 810 via thesecond stabilizer 827 b. The drilling tool 810 includes a steeringmechanism having a bridge arrangement including two sets of rotatingbridge bearings 828 a, 828 b coupled to one or more actuators 834 (e.g.,pressurized, hydraulic actuators) via a bridge structure 830. In oneconfiguration, there are four actuators 834 disposed about thecircumference of the shaft 812. The tool also includes at least oneanti-rotation device 839 configured to inhibit rotation of the nominallynon-rotating components of the drilling tool 810 (e.g., housing 814)with respect to the borehole. For instance, as shown, the anti-rotationdevice 839 may include a plurality of springs configured to contact theinner surface of the borehole during use. In other configurations, theanti-rotation device 839 may include a plurality of spring boxes.

While shown as a cut-away diagram 800, the drilling tool 810 and variouscomponents thereof (e.g., drill bit structure 826, bearings 816 a, 816b, bridge bearings 828 a, 828 b, housing 814, shaft 812) are generallycylindrical. Also, each set of rotating bearings 816 a, 816 b, 828 a,828 b generally form an annular cylinder having an interior surfacewhich rotates with respect to an outer surface. For instance, the mainbearings 816 a, 816 b have an interior surface in contact with a sleeve(not shown) encasing the rotating shaft 812 or a portion thereof andpositioned between the bearings 816 a, 816 b, and an exterior surface incontact with the inner surface of the housing 814. Similarly, the setsof bridge bearings 828 a, 828 b may have an interior surface in contactwith the sleeve (not shown) and an exterior surface in contact with thebridge structure 830. As such, the bearings 816 a, 816 b, 828 a, 828 ballow coupling of the rotating shaft 812 to non-rotating portions of thetool, such as, e.g., the housing and steering mechanism.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a method 900 for implementing aninflatable bladder system in accordance with various implementationsdescribed herein.

It should be understood that even though method 900 may indicate aparticular order of operation execution, in some cases, various certainportions of the operations may be executed in a different order, and ondifferent systems. In other cases, additional operations and/or stepsmay be added to and/or omitted from method 900. Method 900 may beimplemented in hardware and/or software. If implemented in hardware,method 900 may be implemented with various circuit components, such asdescribed herein in reference to FIGS. 1A-8. If implemented in software,method 900 may be implemented as a program or software instructionprocess that may be used for implementing one or more inflatablebladders as described herein. Also, if implemented in software, variousinstructions related to implementing method 900 may be stored in memoryand/or a database. For instance, a computer or various other types ofcomputing devices having a processor and memory may be configured toperform method 900.

As described and shown in reference to FIG. 9, method 900 may beutilized for implementing an inflatable bladder system in accordancewith various schemes and techniques described herein above. At block910, method 900 may deploy a bladder system downhole. In this instance,as described herein above, the bladder system may include an inflatablebladder system having one or more inflatable bladders, such as, e.g., adeployment bladder and a retraction bladder. The inflatable bladdersystem may have a return spring that returns the bladders to an initialstate. At decision block 912, method 900 may determine various driveparameters for controlling the bladder system that are associated withpressure, time and RPM. At block 914, when the bladder system is on (oractivated), method 900 may power off the deployment bladder, power theretraction bladder on and then off, and non-energize (or power off) thereturn spring. Also, in some instances, at block 916, when the bladdersystem is off (or deactivated), method 900 may power on the deploymentbladder, power off the retraction bladder, and then energize (or poweron) the return spring.

From a control standpoint, the electronic controls may be configured todrive activation and/or deactivation based on the following. Forinstance, timer control may be used to drive activation after a certainperiod of time and deactivates after another certain period of time. Insome instances, pressure switch control may be used to drive activationor alternatively will only allow activation after a certaindifferentiation pressure or a certain hydrostatic pressure is attained.Alternatively, the pressure switch control may be used to driveactivation or alternatively will only allow activation after a certainbore pressure is attained that could be set to a hydrostatic thresholdor circulating threshold. In some other instances, the electronics couldbe controlled through sequenced rotary speed, or the electronics couldbe controlled through sequenced bore pressure. In still other instances,the electronics could be controlled through a sequenced bore pressurethat triggers a command to be emitted from a drilling tool throughdirect communication or alternatively via a short hop system.

It should be intended that the subject matter of the claims not belimited to the implementations and illustrations provided herein, butinclude modified forms of those implementations including portions ofimplementations and combinations of elements of differentimplementations in accordance with the claims. It should be appreciatedthat in the development of any such implementation, as in anyengineering or design project, numerous implementation-specificdecisions should be made to achieve developers' specific goals, such ascompliance with system-related and business related constraints, whichmay vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should beappreciated that such a development effort may be complex and timeconsuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design,fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having benefitof this disclosure.

Reference has been made in detail to various implementations, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. Inthe following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure providedherein. However, the disclosure provided herein may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In some other instances, well-known methods,procedures, components, circuits and networks have not been described indetail so as not to unnecessarily obscure details of the embodiments.

It should also be understood that, although the terms first, second,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another. For example, a first element couldbe termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could betermed a first element. The first element and the second element areboth elements, respectively, but they are not to be considered the sameelement.

The terminology used in the description of the disclosure providedherein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations andis not intended to limit the disclosure provided herein. As used in thedescription of the disclosure provided herein and appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term“and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possiblecombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context. The terms “up” and“down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upwardly” and “downwardly”; “below” and“above”; and other similar terms indicating relative positions above orbelow a given point or element may be used in connection with someimplementations of various technologies described herein.

While the foregoing is directed to implementations of various techniquesdescribed herein, other and further implementations may be devised inaccordance with the disclosure herein, which may be determined by theclaims that follow.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A downhole device, comprising: a body having acavity; a mechanical element disposed within the cavity, wherein themechanical element has a base with a left-extending member and aright-extending member that holds the mechanical element in positionwithin an interior space of the cavity; and an inflatable bladderdisposed within the cavity between an interior sidewall of the cavityand the base of the mechanical element, wherein the inflatable bladderhas an opening on one end for receiving hydraulic fluid, and wherein theinflatable bladder is activated and deactivated to selectively displacethe mechanical element in and out of the cavity.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein the inflatable bladder is activated by injecting thehydraulic fluid into the inflatable bladder via the opening on the oneend so as to inflate the inflatable bladder with the hydraulic fluid. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is deactivated byreleasing the hydraulic fluid from the inflatable bladder via theopening on the one end so as to deflate the inflatable bladder withoutthe hydraulic fluid.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein injecting thehydraulic fluid into the inflatable bladder radially displaces themechanical element in a first radial direction relative to a center lineof the mechanical device, and wherein releasing the hydraulic fluid fromthe inflatable bladder radially displaces the mechanical element in asecond radial direction that is opposite the first radial directionrelative to the center line of the mechanical device.
 5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder has a locking mechanism disposedadjacent to the opening that locks the hydraulic fluid within theinflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is activated, and whereinthe locking mechanism releases the hydraulic fluid from the inflatablebladder when the inflatable bladder is deactivated.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the body has an aperture that allows the hydraulicfluid to bi-directionally flow into and out from the opening of theinflatable bladder.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanicalelement has an upper-protruding member configured to move into and outof the cavity, wherein the inflatable bladder is activated by inflatingthe inflatable bladder with the hydraulic fluid so as to push theupper-protruding member out of the cavity, and wherein the inflatablebladder is deactivated by releasing the hydraulic fluid from theinflatable bladder so as to allow the upper-protruding member into thecavity.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical elementcomprises a hole opening device, an anchor, a stabilizer, a reamer, oran under reamer.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the inflatablebladder comprises a first inflatable bladder, and wherein the devicecomprises a second inflatable bladder disposed within the cavity betweenanother interior sidewall of the cavity and the base of the mechanicalelement, wherein the second inflatable bladder has an opening on one endfor receiving hydraulic fluid, and wherein the second inflatable bladderis activated and deactivated in an alternating manner with respect tothe first inflatable bladder to selectively displace the mechanicalelement in opposing radial directions.
 10. A downhole device,comprising: a body having an inclined member with a lower end and anupper end; an object disposed to adjacently overlie the inclined memberbetween the lower end and the upper end of the body; and an inflatablebladder disposed between a sidewall at the lower end of the body and theobject, wherein the inflatable bladder has an opening on one end forreceiving hydraulic fluid, and wherein the inflatable bladder isactivated and deactivated to selectively displace the object toward andaway from the upper end, respectively.
 11. The device of claim 10,wherein the body has a roof member that retains or holds the inflatablebladder in position, and wherein the sidewall is disposed between theroof member and the inclined member of the body.
 12. The device of claim10, wherein the inflatable bladder is activated by inflating theinflatable bladder with the hydraulic fluid so as to push the objectalong the inclined member toward the upper end, and wherein theinflatable bladder is deactivated by releasing the hydraulic fluid fromthe inflatable bladder so as to allow the object to slide along theinclined member toward the lower end.
 13. The device of claim 10,wherein injecting the hydraulic fluid into the inflatable bladderangularly displaces the object in a first angular direction along theinclined member of the body, and wherein releasing the hydraulic fluidfrom the inflatable bladder angularly displaces the object in a secondangular direction that is opposite the first angular direction along theinclined member of the body.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein theinflatable bladder has a locking mechanism disposed adjacent to theopening that locks the hydraulic fluid within the inflatable bladderwhen the inflatable bladder is activated, and wherein the lockingmechanism releases the hydraulic fluid from the inflatable bladder whenthe inflatable bladder is deactivated.
 15. The device of claim 10,wherein the body has an aperture that allows the hydraulic fluid tobi-directionally flow into and out from the opening of the inflatablebladder.
 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the inflatable bladdercomprises a first inflatable bladder, and wherein the device comprises asecond inflatable bladder disposed within a recess member of the bodybetween the inclined member of the body and the object, wherein thesecond inflatable bladder has an opening on one end for receiving thehydraulic fluid, and wherein the second inflatable bladder is activatedand deactivated in an alternating manner with respect to the firstinflatable bladder to selectively displace the object in opposingangular directions along the inclined member of the body.
 17. A downholedevice, comprising: a body having a cavity and a recess formed in afloor of the cavity; an object disposed within the cavity and coupled toa sidewall of the body via a hinge; and an inflatable bladder disposedwithin the recess between the floor of the cavity and the object,wherein the inflatable bladder has an opening on one end for receivinghydraulic fluid, and wherein the inflatable bladder is activated anddeactivated to selectively pivot the object.
 18. The device of claim 17,wherein the inflatable bladder is activated by injecting the hydraulicfluid into the inflatable bladder via the opening on the one end so asto inflate the inflatable bladder with the hydraulic fluid, and whereinduring activation, the hydraulic fluid is pressurized and injected intothe inflatable bladder via a passage way formed at the opening on theone end of the inflatable bladder.
 19. The device of claim 17, whereinthe inflatable bladder is deactivated by releasing the hydraulic fluidfrom the inflatable bladder via the opening on the one end so as todeflate the inflatable bladder without the hydraulic fluid, and whereinduring deactivation, the hydraulic fluid is depressurized and releasedfrom the inflatable bladder via a passage way formed at the opening onthe one end of the inflatable bladder.
 20. The device of claim 17,wherein injecting the hydraulic fluid into the inflatable bladderpivotally displaces the object in a first rotational direction relativeto the hinge, and wherein releasing the hydraulic fluid from theinflatable bladder pivotally displaces the object in a second rotationaldirection that is opposite the first rotational direction relative tothe hinge.
 21. The device of claim 17, wherein the inflatable bladderhas a locking mechanism disposed adjacent to the opening that locks thehydraulic fluid within the inflatable bladder when the inflatablebladder activated, and wherein the locking mechanism releases thehydraulic fluid from the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladderis deactivated.
 22. The device of claim 17, wherein the body has anaperture that allows the hydraulic fluid to bi-directionally flow intoand out from the opening of the inflatable bladder.
 23. The device ofclaim 17, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises a first inflatablebladder, and wherein the device comprises a second inflatable bladderdisposed within another recess of the body between the floor of thecavity and an armature of the object, wherein the second inflatablebladder has an opening on one end for receiving the hydraulic fluid, andwherein the second inflatable bladder is activated and deactivated at asame time as the first inflatable bladder so as to assist withselectively pivoting the object in opposing rotational directions withrespect to the hinge.